BA Modern Languages and English

Engage with the language or literature of both the English-speaking world and that of another European modern language of your choosing (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish). This naturally complementary pairing is a popular combination.

For English you will choose to follow either our Literature or Language Pathway. The Literature pathway allows you to investigate the ways in which literary culture has engaged with and shaped society and how it continues to do so today. The Language pathway will develop your understanding of the linguistic, social and political issues surrounding language and its use.

In Modern Languages, you will complement your language study with modules from a diverse selection of areas including literature, history, film and politics.

Benefit from internationally renowned research and teaching, as well as unparalleled resources - including those for the study of Shakespeare through our world-leading Shakespeare Institute and exciting new collaboration with the RSC.

Details

This programme is designed to provide both academic excellence and vocational development - a balance that is highly sought after by employers in today's intellectual, professional and creative industries.

Furthermore, you will develop advanced language skills and a deep cultural understanding of the country of your chosen language through true immersion on your Year Abroad.

The English Literature pathway allows you to develop a strong foundation in all major periods and genres. You may specialise in a huge range of different areas from medieval poetry to twenty-first century digital literary culture. You will also have the opportunity to take our specialist second-year Shakespeare modules and participate in our study residential in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The English Language pathway allows you to acquire a thorough appreciation of the technical aspects of the English language and its social and political context. Choose from a wide range of different specialisms, which can prepare you for a wide range of different careers from speech therapy to journalism.

Within Modern Languages you will follow the same language modules as Single Honours languages students, but choose fewer literary, cultural or political options. Small group teaching is important and student participation is strongly encouraged, leading to confident, enthusiastic, articulate graduates.

Why study this course

Excellent academic experience: Our staff produce high quality research which directly influences their teaching. In 2014, 92% of English and 98% of Modern Languages students agreed that staff are good at explaining things. 93% and 97% also agreed that staff are enthusiastic about what they teach. Great teaching helps our students develop to their full academic potential – this year 92% of English and 82% of Modern Languages students graduated with first or upper-second class degrees.

Exceptionally broad curriculum: You will benefit from an exceptionally diverse and flexible curriculum, with each module taught by an expert in that field as well as native-speakers in your chosen language. Furthermore, we have a unique provision for the study of Shakespeare due to our Shakespeare Institute and our collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Shakespeare Institute, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is a world-leading centre for international Shakespeare scholarship. You will also benefit from our exciting five-year collaboration with the RSC which will see the reinstatement of the iconic studio theatre, The Other Place. You will be able to access creative and teaching spaces at The Other Place, as well as the expertise of RSC artists and practitioners; you will also have the opportunity to attend RSC productions and events.

Outstanding employability development: Amongst our 2013 cohort, 93% of our English and 87% of our Modern Languages graduates were in work or further study 6 months after graduation in a diverse range of areas. Read more about the numerous ways in which we support your career planning and development in our “Employability” section.

Formative travel opportunities: Many students remember their Year Abroad as the most exciting part of their degree and the period where their language skills truly developed. Choose to study, teach or work in the country of your chosen language.

Extensive extra-curricular opportunities: Join one of our language student societies, our language focussed student magazine The UoB Linguist, BEDSoc (Birmingham English Department Society), English Language Society, Writers’ Bloc our Creative Writing Society, our student newspapers or one of our seven different drama and theatre societies. You can also enjoy opportunities such as working alongside members of staff on their research projects on our Undergraduate Research Scholarships, social events such as end-of-term parties and summer balls. We also host regular guest lectures and readingsfrom visiting writers. Recent guests have included novelist David Lodge, poet and writer Jackie Kay, poet Simon Armitage, playwright Simon Stephens and poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

Open day talks

Four full videos on YouTube of recent open day talks relevant to this course:

Modules

The optional modules listed on the website for this programme may unfortunately occasionally be subject to change. As you will appreciate key members of staff may leave the University and this necessitates a review of the modules that are offered. Where the module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you make other choices.

Your first year of study is split equally between your two disciplines (60 credits in each subject). Following this, you have flexible options to alter your balance of study, meaning that you could take 80 credits in one subject and 40 in the other in either or both of your second and final years, or stay with the 60/60 balance. This flexibility allows you to tailor the course throughout your degree programme, once you have had the time and experience to consider where your strengths and interests lie. You can also write a Link Dissertation combining your two subjects in your final year.

You can see more information about the different modules and options on the links below. Within the English side of your programme you can follow either a Literature or a Language pathway.

Modern Languages:

You can find out more about the available modules dependent on your credit weighting for your chosen language(s) below:

Fees and funding

Entry requirements

Required subjects and grades: If you have an A level in French, Spanish, German, Italian or Russian you can take your language study at advanced level.

You will need to obtain a B or above at A level in the language that you are going to study.

Spanish, German, Italian and Russian can be taken at beginners level. To take a language from beginners level, evidence of language learning ability is required such as a grade A in a Modern Language at GCSE.

For the English Literature pathway, A level English Literature or English Language and Literature grade A is required.

For the English Language pathway either English Language, English Literature and Literature or English Literature is desirable but not essential; if taken it will be required at grade A. We also consider other candidates who demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for the study of language. In this case, an A level in a modern language would be an advantage.

Additional information: Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.

International baccalaureate update

Please note that we have reviewed our policy on the IB Diploma for 2016 entry and our offers will now focus on performance in Higher Level subjects. For more information and details please read our 2016 IB Diploma requirements.

International students:

We welcome applications from international students and invite you to join our vibrant community of over 4500 international students who represent 150 different countries. We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.

How to apply

When completingyour UCAS form, please indicate which modern language at which level and which English pathway (‘Literature’ or ‘Language’) you wish to study under the further details section of the choices section of the application form using the following codes.

Key Information Set (KIS)

Key Information Sets (KIS) are comparable sets of information about full- or part-time undergraduate courses and are designed to meet the information needs of prospective students.

All KIS information has been published on the Unistats website and can also be accessed via the small advert, or ‘widget’, below. On the Unistats website you are able to compare all the KIS data for each course with data for other courses.

The development of Key Information Sets (KIS) formed part of HEFCE’s work to enhance the information that is available about higher education. They give you access to reliable and comparable information in order to help you make informed decisions about what and where to study.

The KIS contains information which prospective students have identified as useful, such as student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, learning and teaching activities, assessment methods, tuition fees and student finance, accommodation and professional accreditation.

Learning and teaching

University of Birmingham students are part of an academic elite and learn from world-leading experts. We will challenge you to become an independent and self-motivated learner, qualities that are highly sought after by employers.

You will have a diverse learning experience, including:

lectures

small group tutorials

independent study

and peer group learning, such as delivering presentations with your classmates

Support

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to Higher Education.

Personal tutors - You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and welfare advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Transition review - you will undergo a formal transition review during your first year with an academic member of staff. They will see how you are getting on and if there are particular areas where you need support.

Academic Skills Centre - the centre aims to help you become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.

Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) - the AWAS team will provide guidance on writing essays and dissertations at University-level. You will receive individual support from an academic writing advisor and meet with postgraduate tutors who specialise in particular subjects. Support is given in a variety of ways, such as small-group workshops, online activities, tutorials and email correspondence.

Student experience - our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They will offer research opportunities, study skills support and help you prepare for your post-university careers. They will also organise social events, such as field trips, to help you meet fellow students from your course.

Language laboratory sessions allow you to practise your listening and spoken skills and are an essential part of all our language programmes.

Assessment methods

Assessments - you will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

coursework, such as essays

group and individual presentations

and formal exams

Feedback - you will receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so you can learn from each assignment. You will also be given feedback on any exams that you take. If you should fail an exam, we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is provided to help you prepare for future exams.

The principal means of assessment for English are coursework essays and written exams.

Employability

English and Modern Languages graduates have a range of highly-valued skills:

Communication skills in English and another language;

Understanding and appreciation of other cultures;

Critical thinking skills;

The ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information;

Independence and experience of living abroad;

Leadership and teamwork;

Forming concise and articulate arguments;

Time management;

Workload prioritisation.

Our English and Modern Languages graduates are highly employable and go into a wide range of careers, both in this country and abroad. They enter the wide range of careers similar to other arts and humanities graduates but with much greater scope in international settings.

In our most recent survey, 93% of English and 87% of Modern Languages graduates progressed to further work or study within six months of graduating.

Employers include:

Hodder & Stoughton Publishers

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Brooklyn Museum

Daily Mail

ITV

Macmillan Cancer Support

Amazon.fr

Capita

Harper Collins

Deutsche Bank

Aura Financial

British Airways

Deloitte

Pricewaterhouse Coopers

The British Council

French Connection

NATO

BP

Local and central government

Roles include:

Social Media & Website Officer

Cultural Intern

PR Client Executive

Research Assistant

International Sales & Digital Executive

Editorial Quality Executive

Events Membership Co-ordinator

Editorial Project Leader

International Sales Coordinator

Investigation Specialist

Operations Analyst

Marketing Officer

Account Executive

Examples of further study include:

NCTJ in Multimedia Journalism

MA Medieval & Renaissance Literary Studies

MA Writing for Performance and Publication

MA Creative Writing

PgDip Education

MA Social Work

PGCE (various)

Graduate Diploma in Law

MA Hispanic Studies

MA Translation Studies

You will benefit from organised events in both departments whereby our graduates return to campus to talk to current students about their careers, how to find opportunities and the variety of roles available. Recent speakers include authors, writers and graduates that hold positions at companies such as the BBC, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Guardian, Network Rail, Capital One, the National Trust.

Developing your career

Employers target University of Birmingham students for their diverse skill-set and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of our wide range of opportunities you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Careers events - we hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities to help you meet potential employers and learn more about these sectors.

Global Challenge - you can apply to work overseas on an expenses-paid placement during your summer vacation through our Global Challenge initiative.

Work experience bursary - we encourage you to apply your skills in the workplace by undertaking internships in the summer. Our work experience bursaries allow you to apply for funding to support you during unpaid internships.

Cultural Internships - our innovative Cultural Internships offer graduates the opportunity for a six month paid internship at a leading cultural institution in the West Midlands. These internships will give you professional experience to set you apart in a competitive graduate market. Our current partners include Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham REP, Birmingham Royal Ballet, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, Library of Birmingham.

There are also internships available at our own cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you will need to think about engaging in some extra-curricular activities to broaden your skills and network of contacts.

Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme - our College of Arts and Law Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme enables interested students to work on a current academic research project being run by one of our academic researchers. Undergraduate research scholars gain work experience over the summer after their first or second year and have the chance to develop skills in both collaborative and independent research.